Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribunereports that the Twins have declined their $9.25 million option on Scott Baker, making him a free agent after the 31-year-old right-hander missed the entire season following Tommy John surgery.

The move was expected, but the two sides have reportedly been negotiating a new deal that could keep Baker in Minnesota for a lesser salary. They have until Friday at midnight to work something out before Baker hits the open market.

When healthy Baker has consistently been a solid mid-rotation starter with excellent strikeout-to-walk ratios, but even before elbow surgery he lacked durability. Given the Twins’ wide open starting rotation an incentive-laden one-year contract, perhaps with an option for 2014, could make sense for both sides.

The White Sox won’t make a bid for free agent outfielder Bryce Harper, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reports. Believed to be the favorites to land shortstop Manny Machado in free agency, the White Sox watched him ink a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres. The club is apparently content with its roster otherwise.

Last season, Harper hit .249/.393/.496 with 34 hom eruns, 100 RBI, 103 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases in 695 plate appearances. He led all of baseball, drawing 130 walks. Harper is also a six-time All-Star who won the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year Award and the 2015 NL Most Valuable Player Award.